As4Me

“How Not to Raise a Pagan”

Michelle — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:00:28 +0000

I don’t normally include a lot of external links on this blog. One significant reason is that other than a handful of friends’ blogs, I don’t have much time to spend looking at and reading all the really great links out there.

Tonight my dear husband is away at some training, and I was able to spend some time after the children went to bed listening to this sermon by Al Mohler called “How Not to Raise a Pagan.” It’s a chapel message on Deuteronomy 6, and although it is not anything new, the message is well spoken and challenging.

Wisdom Wednesday

Michelle — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:00:40 +0000

The Story:

[Jesus said] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

What’s significant about this passage is that we often think if we believe the right things, we’re like the man building his house on the rock. But that’s not what Jesus says. In fact, you can know all the right Bible verses and still be like the man building a house on the sand. What Jesus says is that a wise person will hear the Word of God and obey it.

It doesn’t matter if you’re just learning about the Bible, or if you’ve grown up hearing it. It doesn’t matter if we understand most of the Bible, or find much of the Bible a mystery. No matter what our background, we are all able to obey what we know, and we all must obey God one spiritual step at a time. God works in all of our lives differently. The lessons He is teaching me, He may not be teaching you. What I’m struggling with might bring a smile because you’re learned through a similar struggle. Regardless of what God is teaching us, we should all be passionate about wisdom. Surely, the application will look different, but the passion will be similar.

Wisdom Wednesday is to encourage us all to deliberately allow the Word of God to change our lives, and encourage others by sharing what God is doing and how.

The Rules:

I’m going to find a Scripture that I can help either my children or myself put into practice. Today. After I put it into practice, I’ll post the story on a Wednesday.
If you would like to participate, do the same and write about it on your blog.
Come back here and leave your link in the comments section on my Wisdom Wednesday post. That way we’ll know where to go.
If you don’t have a blog, then you can tell your Wisdom Wednesday story on anyone else’s blog in the comments section.
If you want to see some of my Wisdom Wednesday posts, click here and read posts with the Wisdom Wednesday graphics.

Tech Help:

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Thank you to Melita Matzko for designing the Wisdom Wednesday graphics. You can see more of her designs here.

This post may be found by clicking on the “Wisdom Wednesday” link on the top bar of this blog.

Prayer for the Sleep-Deprived Mom, Reprint

Michelle — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:00:38 +0000

In honor of several friends with new babies, and several new internet friends with babies, I’m reposting this prayer. Hang in there! This week, I’m on a blog vacation, and am revisiting posts from my archive.

Several of my friends have been struggling with getting enough sleep. Here is a prayer for them:

Lord,

Use the lack of sleep to remind them to call upon you, to wait on you through your Word. Renew their strength.
Give them the sleep they need, as you have promised to supply their needs.
Help them to be diligent to take opportunity in the day to lay aside other responsibilities when possible to rest.
Give them a love for their children in light of eternity, and a patience for the cares of motherhood.
Give them the humility to ask for help, if they need it. Remind them that they are not alone in their struggle, and that others are praying for them.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

The Center of My Life, Reprint

Michelle — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:00:03 +0000

I posted this a year and a half ago, and I’m convicted again by it. This week I’m taking a blog vacation and will be reposting a few lessons that are still relevant for me. I hope they’re a blessing!

When my kids grow up, what will they say my life revolved around?

The computer?
The phone?
Good Christian books?
Friends?

I’d like my life to revolve around the Bible. It’s one thing to tell them how important God’s word is, but if my life says otherwise, my words will not be convincing. I must also be modeling a love and passion for our God, a thirst for His Word, and a willingness to let every part of my life be governed by it.

How can I accomplish this?

Do my devotions when they are awake.
Talk about what I am reading.
Think through how I can apply God’s word in my daily life.
Explain to my children how my actions are connected to God’s Word.
Help them do the same thing.

Thanksgiving Plans

Michelle — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:00:08 +0000

Today I typed “thanksgiving” in the search box on top of my blog, because I wanted to know what I had written about thanksgiving. Here is what I found:

Teaching Thankfulness

Talking about Thankfulness

Talking about Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Evaluation

Last year I purchased a few books on Thanksgiving. The best by far is the one by Alice Dalgliesh called The Thanksgiving Story. Published in 1955, it won a Caldecott honor medal even with the repeated references to thanking God for His care and provision. I also purchased Three Young Pilgrims, which has more detailed illustrations and a more complex storyline. My children have appreciated both (although my little ones haven’t yet sat down for either of the whole books).

We’ve already read these books several times. I’d like to review Psalm 100. We’ve been talking about being thankful, and we’ve started planning our Thanksgiving feast. We tested a new cookie recipe that was fun to make and good to eat, and they’re excited about making it again. Grandma and Grandpa Brock are coming, so there’s much to look forward to.

Writing this reminds me that I should probably start talking about Thanksgiving with my husband to see if he has any thoughts on making the day meaningful. I’m also reminded about how much needs to get done!

Ways to Be A Better Listener

Michelle — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:00:28 +0000

I’ve been working on being a better listener lately. Here are some more things I’ve been working on and found useful.

Make eye contact. Yes, stop looking at dishes, that book, or the computer screen.
Ban “uh huh” as a response. It’s pretty obvious that this response is a half-hearted, uninterested gesture.
Ask a followup question. If child asks, “Do you like my picture?” don’t say “yes, it’s beautiful.”Say that, but then ask what the strange brown dots all over mommy’s face are for. It doesn’t matter what you ask, just as long as it relates to the original statement or question from the child.
Don’t jump to conclusions, and don’t react too quickly. I remember David wanting me to listen to his rock song. I was a little nervous at first, until I realized that he had a rock on the piano and was making up a ROCK SONG. Those kind are okay. I jump to conclusions pretty fast, so this is a hard one for me.

What if your child isn’t a talker?

What I’m learning is that they ask more questions when I’m a better listener.
They also ask more questions than I think, once I start paying attention.
Ask questions during mealtime or in the car. Ask, “Did you notice that….” and then ask them “Why do you think mommy did that?” [or some other relevant followup] I’ve learned that my non-talker is very observant and this approach always seems to get the conversation started. My middle child isn’t always very observant in the same way, and she benefits from my drawing her attention to something important.
Find the times and ways when they will talk, even if it’s inconvenient to you.

Forgetting Spiritual Thoughts

Michelle — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:00:47 +0000

Last weekend I had the privilege of making a three-hour drive by myself without the children. I got a lot of thinking and praying done (if you’ve commented on this blog, you were probably prayed for!). The trouble is, when I got home, I couldn’t remember any of my epiphanies!

So was that time of meditation worthless? Hardly. I think it’s all a part of this concept of renewing our minds. Our Sunday school teacher on Sunday talked about something that I’ve been thinking about.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Whenever I take the time to think about things that are above, I am obeying this command. Obedience is never a waste of time!

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Here is the renewing the mind in knowledge that is a crucial step in putting off the bad stuff, and putting on the good stuff. Knowledge isn’t the only part, but it is a part! In other words, good intentions, or a desire to do right isn’t enough. I have to be willing to take the time to renew my mind. Then I can put on the things I need, and boy do I need these things:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

This last part has been helpful for me, and the part that I’ve been trying to put into practice this week. This week I’ve been working on some memory verses. Our Sunday school teacher pointed out, letting the word of Christ dwell in us is in the context of the rest of the chapter. In other words, right relationships among husbands and wives, parents and children, and employers and employees flow from the Word of God dwelling in us.

Now it’s back to work!

How is God’s Word changing you this week?

The Law as Schoolmaster for a Child

Michelle — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:00:07 +0000

In church on Sunday nights, we’ve been talking about the believer’s relationship with the law. The men have been having a grand time sitting afterwards discussing the finer points of Romans 6, 7, and 8. Me?

I’m still thinking about the role of the law in bringing someone to Christ, since I have three unbelievers living in my house.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24

Now an entire method of evangelism has been developed with this principle in mind, beginning at the ten commandments and progressing from there. The idea is, none of us have ever kept the law, none of us are ABLE to keep the law, the penalty for not keeping the law is death in hell, and the only one who has kept the law perfectly took my punishment for me, that is, Jesus Christ on the Cross.

So I’ve been thinking about this in the context of evangelizing my children. How do I present God’s law? How do I show them that the law reveals their inability to keep it?

Right now, we think David (who is nearly five and a half) understands the gospel. But he is still trying to be good enough, and he hasn’t expressed any desire to be saved. Now he’s a private person, so we want to probe without pushing. Several times we’ve clarified the position of our family members. That is, Mommy and Daddy are praying that David, Bethel, and Laurel will repent and accept Christ as their Savior.

My biggest concern is that they will grow up assuming that they are part of the “club” without ever facing the need for repentance and salvation. Pointing out that they are not yet saved seems somewhat abrupt and cruel (”You’re going to hell, kiddo, unless you get saved” yes, I’m exaggerating), but I don’t see any other way to prevent this assumption.

Thoughts?

Getting My Own Way

Michelle — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:30:23 +0000

Have you ever intervened in an argument and stalled telling your children something spiritual until you could think of something spiritual?

The other day, Bethel was playing with brick blocks, large cardboard blocks that are remarkably versatile play objects. The only trouble is that we don’t have a large amount of them.

David decided to make something, too, but by the time he had started building, Bethel had three more blocks than he did. So he started to cry. Now Bethel had already resigned herself to supplementing her blocks with the hardwood kindergarten blocks, but David wasn’t interested in kindergarten blocks. He lost sight of his goal (building a stable) and could see only the inequity of the block distribution.

I tried to gather my normally unorganized thoughts together into something coherent and persuasive. David was obviously being selfish, but that line has been getting overused. Perhaps if I had been renewing my own mind on this matter, I would have been better prepared to respond quickly.

I did pray, and God helped me think about Paul. I asked David “Can you be happy with fewer blocks than Bethel?” He paused crying enough to tell me no, and then climbed next to me to mope.

I racked my brain. Learning to be content? No, I don’t know the reference. Philippians 2? Maybe. What about Paul and Silas in jail? I bet David would understand that.

So I turned to Acts and found where Paul was still Saul and persecuting Christians. I read about what Paul was like before he got saved, and then I turned to Acts 16 where Paul and Silas were put in prison. I asked David if he though Paul and Silas could be happy in prison. David knew the correct answer was yes, but he obviously didn’t understand how that could be.

How could they sing? It was God’s grace in their lives. I took the time to point out that David needed salvation and God’s grace to be able to rejoice when he didn’t get something he wanted. On our own, we cannot reach God’s standard. It is impossible. We prayed together.

And once again, in recounting a discussion with my children, I see what God is teaching me. How often do I fret because I don’t get my way? Can I be content in any circumstance? I need God’s grace.

Hitting the Dog

Michelle — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:24:46 +0000

Every once in awhile I discover that I’ve held some faulty belief and it’s always a shock to have to change how I think about it.

I always assumed that young children are naturally kind toward animals. I’m sure that some probably are, but I’ve been surprised at how long it has taken for our children to understand this. I’m intrigued that compassion must be taught.

Yes, I realize that being nice to animals is a developmental issue, too. None of my children really understand that animals feel pain like we do. Each week it seems they try a different way of interacting with the dog that hurts her (or is at the least uncomfortable): hitting her back, pulling her tail, biting her tail, grabbing at her skin and pulling it, pulling her legs, and so on.

We started with education: I got a children’s book from the library that showed how dogs communicate. It was excellent. I hoped that would help them understand how the dog was already communicating that she didn’t like what they occasionally do to her.

We’ve talked about Proverbs 12:10 repeatedly:” Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.”

I’ve not talked about Deuteronomy 25:4, where God commands the Israelites not to prevent their oxen from eating as they worked.

We’ve been explaining that God cares very much how we treat our animals. It’s very important that they learn compassion for God’s creation. We keep teaching them how to treat their dog. We’ve given consequences for mistreatment after we’ve taught them what it is. But the mistreatment keeps morphing, and so we keep teaching.

It’s taking a long time for them to learn!